Celebrate Earth Day 2011 with the Audubon Society of Rhode Island

Free Guided Hikes at Wildlife Refuges Across the State and NEW Audubon Passport to the TrailsProgram

So many studies these days stress the importance of exposing children to nature. A lack of outdoor activity is resulting in high obesity rates, attention disorders and other health issues in children, including increases in diabetes, and heart disease. Besides the obvious physical benefits to outdoor exercise and play, experts cite behavioral and academic advantages as well. Yet busy parents wonder how to find the time or where to begin. The Audubon Society of Rhode Island can help.

This month, in celebration of Earth Day, Audubon is offering 14 FREE guided walks on wildlife refuges across the state. Families are invited to get out and explore those special places in the state accessible only by foot. Take a nighttime stroll, search for salamanders, explore a salt marsh, or discover the rocky shore of Narragansett Bay. All with an expert guide. It couldn’t be easier. Kids will get exercise and fresh air as they learn about the varied habitats and creatures that call Rhode Island home. There are programs to suite all ages and interests — from mild birding walks on easy trails to wet and muddy vernal pool explorations that the kids will love. Visit www.asri.org for a complete calendar of free Earth Day walks and to register online for these programs. Call (401) 949-5454 for additional information.

And once Earth Day is over? Keep the kids asking for more with Audubon’s Passport to the Trails program — new for 2011.Â Get exercise, have fun, and win prizes! Pick up your free passports (one for each member of the family) at any Earth Day program, or at the Nature Shops at the Audubon Environmental Education Center in Bristol, or Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge in Smithfield, Rhode Island.

Throughout the spring and summer, hike at least six of the ten trails at participating Audubon Wildlife Refuges listed in the passport.Â Along the way, you will be directed to a “hidden” symbol on each trail. Record your visit by making a pencil or crayon rubbing in your passport of the symbol at each destination. Each wildlife refuge offers a different symbol to record. When your passport is complete, just return it to Audubon for prizes. It’s a fun, free challenge for kids and adults to enjoy while getting exercise and exploring nature. For program details, directions, and refuge trail maps visit www.asri.org.

Audubon Society of Rhode Island: New for 2011!Â Passport to the Trails

Here’s what you do: Pick up your FREE passport from Audubon (Environmental Education Center in Bristol or Powder Mill Ledges in Smithfield), hike the listed trails, make the trail symbol rubbings, and return the completed passport to win prizes!

Hike at least six of the ten listed wildlife refuges, record your visit with the different refuge symbol rubbings in your passport, and return the passport to Audubon by September 30, 2011, to receive the following prize*: Audubon drawstring backpack, magnifier, Audubon foldout guide to wildlife refuges and common species, and a $5 Bird Bucks coupon (may be applied to any purchase before October 31, 2011 in the Audubon Nature Shops.)

Outdoor Explorations: Field
Monday, April 18, 2011; 10:30-11:30 am
Gain a better understanding of what lives in your own backyard! Use bug nets, magnifying glasses and other field equipment to discover what lives in a field habitat. No registration required.Where: Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Ages: All.

Salamander Search – Two Programs Offered
Monday, April 18, 2011; 10:00-11:30 am and 1:00-2:30 pm
Search for salamanders and frogs with an Audubon naturalist and learn all about these amazing creatures.Â Every child will have the opportunity to examine the amphibians. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Meet in the barn.Where: Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, 99 Pardon Joslin Road, Exeter, RI; Ages: 5+.

Salt Marsh of Tiverton
Monday, April 18, 2011; 1:30-4:00 pm
The salt marsh at Emilie Ruecker Wildlife Refuge isÂ a fragile coastal habitat full of unique species. The plants will be just starting to awaken and wading birds and diving ducks may be hunting in the inlets. Wear waterproof shoes or old sneakers for occasionally mucky walking.Where: Emilie Ruecker Wildlife Refuge, Seapowet Avenue, Tiverton, RI; Ages: 5+.

Jamestown Salt Marsh Explorations
Tuesday, April 19, 2011; 2:00-5:00 pm
Salt marshes are fragile coastal habitats full of unique species. Come and explore several of Audubon’s protected salt marshes. The plants will be just starting to awaken and wading birds and diving ducks may be hunting in the inlets. Wear waterproof shoes or old sneakers for occasionally mucky walking.Where: Departs from the Park-and-RideÂ in North Kingstown on Rte 1A at the intersection ofÂ Rte. 138; Ages: 5+.

Searching for Signs of Life at Touisset
Tuesday, April 19, 2011; 10:00 — 11:30 am
Join Audubon at Touisset Wildlife Refuge in Warren for a walk through this beautiful coastal location. Search for wildflowers, birds and other wonders of the natural world.Where: Touisset Marsh Wildlife Refuge, Touisset Road, Warren, RI; Ages: 5+.

Outdoor Explorations: Forest and Treetops
Wednesday, April 20, 2011; 10:30-11:30 am
Take a nature stroll and discover the fascinating world of trees. Explore the edges of the forest habitat and discover the animals and plants that live there. No registration required.Where: Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Ages: All.

Salamander Meander
Wednesday, April 20, 2011; 10:00-11:30 am
Bring the kids and learn all about amphibians as we explore vernal pools and the forest floor.Â Join the fun and search for salamanders and other critters of the woods!Where: Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Ages: 4+.

Outdoor Explorations: Salt Marsh
Thursday, April 21, 2011; 10:30-11:30 am
Investigate the importance and health of the salt marsh.Â Examine the flora and fauna of the marsh and what factors could be affecting this important habitat.Â Wear shoes that can get dirty and wet. No registration required.Where: Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Ages: All.

Vernal Pool Exploration
Thursday, April 21, 2011; 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Learn about the amazing giant puddles in the woods called vernal pools. Many creatures cannot survive without them.Â Dip with nets to find some of the creatures that live and breed in these short-lived, but vital habitats. Dress to get dirty and wet. Wear sturdy, closed toe shoes.Where: Audubon Fort Wildlife Refuge, 1443 Providence Pike, North Smithfield, RI; Ages: 7+.

Caratunk Night Hike
Thursday, April 21, 2011; 7:30-9:00 pm
Hiking the Caratunk woods at night is a special way to spend the evening. Maybe we’ll get an owl to fly in or hear a coyote in the distance. It’s a hike you don’t want to miss!Where: Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Ages: 5+.

Join us every Friday at 10:30am for Storytime and activity. Our children’s story hour is for children 2-5 years of age (all ages are welcome) and is hosted by one of our storytellers extraordinaire- Miss[...]

Join us every Friday at 10:30am for Storytime and activity. Our children’s story hour is for children 2-5 years of age (all ages are welcome) and is hosted by one of our storytellers extraordinaire- Miss[...]

Storytime will include a story and activity/craft. Ages 2-5 (all ages are welcome) No need to register. Just stop in. Never a charge! Please contact kiddos401@gmail.com or (508) 405-0116 for cancelations. image: courtesy of Kiddos